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Thursday, 17 August, 2023
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12496498-DL22-21
Pushing for council diversity
Library lacking By Emily Laing Casey has ranked as one of Melbourne’s government areas with the least access to public library services, despite having higher percentages of teens and children than areas with the greatest access. Casey resident Komal Jha said when her family first moved to the area, she was “surprised to see such a huge council with only few libraries and family friendly activities“. Those living in Casey’s coastal towns feel they have the least access of the region as a whole. Casey houses five council-led Connected Libraries, none of which are located in Casey’s southern-most areas. The five libraries are located in Doveton, Hampton Park, Endeavour Hills, Bunjil Place and Cranbourne. “The coastal and southern towns are overlooked in many respects making residents feel like we just don’t count,“ Pearcedale resident Janice Mills said. Tooradin local Patricia Chandler said with the closure of the town’s book store this week, she will struggle to have access to books. “I’m a pensioner and can not afford the fuel costs to go to Cranbourne Library to get books, then worry I won’t get them back in time and attract fines,“ she said. Coastal local Jenny Lewis is hoping to see a “mobile library service“ in future. “We need a mobile library service to come to the coastal village and other areas where transport makes accessibility a barrier,“ she said. CEO Connected Libraries Beth Luppino said she is “excited“ to be extending outreach and mobile services “over the coming months“ to help ease the demand for services “beyond the
four walls of [Casey’s] existing libraries“. Casey suburbs south of Cranbourne make up 43.17 per cent of Casey’s total land size and 8.76 per cent of Casey’s total population, but have no libraries of their own. Within those suburbs reside 9,087 residents under the age of 24 who have no local library services to access for schooling. Casey and it’s neighbouring government areas were listed as having some of the lowest access to libraries in the Melbourne area. Casey (1.62 libraries per 100,000 people), Cardinia (1.67 per 100,000) and Dandenong (1.25 per 100,000) were among the lowest ranking government areas despite having larger populations and being part of Melbourne’s growth corridor. Meanwhile, government areas like Maribyrnong (6.94 per 100,000), Stonnington (5.64 per 100,000) and Yarra (5.46 per 100,000) have the highest number of libraries per capita, despite having smaller populations. The population in City of Maribyrnong in 2021 was 85,209, whereas the Casey population was more than three times larger at 378,472 people. Casey also has a higher percentage of young residents, with 35.7 per cent of Casey’s population being aged 24 and under, compared to 26.1 per cent in Maribyrnong. City of Casey Manager Active Communities, Angie Peresso said the current “pace and scale“ of population growth in Casey presents some challenges in the pursuit of new library sites. “Building further public libraries presents significant challenges,“ she said. CONTINUED PAGE 5
This year’s Victorian Schools Spectacular will feature Berwick Secondary College flautist Hunter (left), Berwick Secondary College dancer Regan (right) and Kambrya College singer Saskia on the stage to wow audiences with their fashion and flair. Picture: SUPPLIED
Young stars set to impress Casey youngsters’ singing, dancing and performing talent will be on show as part of the Victorian State Schools Spectacular next month. The VSSS is returning for two shows on Saturday 9 September at 1pm and 6.30pm at John Cain Arena. The 2000 participating students are made up of principal vocalists, principal dancers, backing vocalists, the Victorian State Schools Choir, a 51-piece orchestra, 1100 mass dance students and 960 in the mass choir.
Among the participants are Berwick Secondary College Year 11 Regan Gay, who will be one of the principal dancers. “My earliest memory is having my mum do my makeup and hair to get me ready for my performances,“ she said. “The chance to perform in an arena like the John Cain Arena is truly the opportunity of a lifetime. “It’s the biggest audience I’ve had the chance to dance for.“ STORY PAGE 10
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